Gifts from grandma: Tricycle, doll, ball -- and college tuition?

Experts suggested Tuesday that grandparents help save for college tuition costs after a survey showed parents saving less for their children's education. Chicagotri bune.com readers reacted:

jsb says, "A family problem? That's ridiculous. There is no reason grandparents should feel obligated to pay for their grandchildren's college educations. It's lovely if they offer, but it's the parents' responsibility."

tom says, "Amen to that. It's the parents' responsibility. It's a responsibility that should be considered before having children."

No kidding writes, "I guess it will also be the family's problem when grandma and grandpa have to move in with the kids because they spent all of their retirement savings on the grandkids' tuition?"

Maria says, "The grandparents are already being asked to watch their grandchildren while the parents work. Now they are going to be asked to fund college? Give them a break. Let them enjoy their 'golden years.' They've done their duty."

One at a time writes, "I'm working to pay off my kids' braces. I guess next in line will be something towards college, if possible. You do what you can and if not they can take out student loans."

mtroom writes, "That is ridiculous. I would never expect, much less ask, my parents to help pay for my kids college education. That is MY responsibility and my kids' responsibility, not theirs."

DiYi says, "They get to ride the CTA on my expense. The least they can do is pay for their grandkids education with my money!"

Colin says, "Why is no one asking WHY college costs so much. We all just treat it as this fixed expense that we have to accept."